December & our 1st Christmas

December was a very tough month! I hate saying goodbye, over and over again. Sam was here full-time and started working for Stryker on Dec 1. I was driving back and forth weekly to spend time here and finish working at St. Mary's. It was very hard for both of us, I was also stressing about getting my new job. I was finally offered a position in the surgical ICU at Miami Valley but couldn't start until Jan 17 because they didn't have any orientations until then, and I was still waiting to receive my Ohio RN license. So we spent most of the month apart and stressing. When I was here we were busy unpacking and shopping for new things (like our comforter set)!! 

Christmas this year was not my favorite. Sam went home to be with his family and I went home to work! I worked 6 12-hr days in a row with the exception of Christmas Eve. Sam and I finally celebrated our Christmas together on December 29 with a stocking gift exchange in the dining room under our little tree. The deal was stocking gifts only so we wouldn't spend too much. I bought Sam a Yankee Candle car scent, a candle topper, 2 pairs of Under Armour briefs, Seattle's Best coffee, a pic card for his car from Snapfish, the Space Jam CD, and a little stuffed animal puppy. Sam bought me an Under Armour long-sleeve shirt, Under Armour black sweatpants, a $150 gift card for clothes (which breaks the stocking rule), and a Willow Tree Angel. My mom bought us a dining room table so we set the table us and put away all the other's gifts our family members bought us for our apartment. My dad bought us bathroom towels and accent rugs, my sister bought us stuff for our kitchen, and Sam's parents bought us new sheets for our bed. Here are some pics of our first Christmas: 

setting up the Christmas tree!!

:):)

our tree!!

before the Christmas Party at Ashton Brooke

 Merry Christmas!!

 Space Jam CD!!

 My new Under Armour attire!!

 My Willow Tree Angel- "Together- For those who have found their true partner in love and life."

 Sam numbered my presents and put these on each present:

You're more than a lover.

There could never be another to make me feel the way you do.

We just get closer. I fall in love all over, every time I look at you.

I don't know where I'd be without you here with me. 

Life with you makes perfect sense.

YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND.

Sam's thought process: they're stocking so he should wear them!! haha!!

our new table!!

Christmas isn't about the gifts, it's about love and family. We are both fortunate to have amazing families, and I would definitely say we had a great Christmas with our families and later together!! However, I could have used more time with my family and less time at work! I would love to spend Christmas with Sam and his family as well, I know that we can't be in both places at once. I'm looking forward to all the holidays we will spend together and with our families. 

-Andi